Spotify is reportedly testing an in-app video podcast feature.
That’s according to the Verge, which reports that a global test has been carried out with YouTube stars Zane Hijazi and Heath Hussar.
The Verge cites a source close to Spotify as saying that uploaded videos will appear for 50% of Zane Hijazi and Heath Hussar’s Spotify podcast audience.
Podcast episodes won’t highlight whether they have a video attached to them or not, and videos will show up at the bottom of the screen once the episode is tapped.
The source also said that videos will likely be added to more podcasts following this test.
“At Spotify, we routinely conduct a number of tests in an effort to improve our user experience,” said a Spotify spokesperson in a comment to The Verge.
“Some of those tests end up paving the way for our broader user experience and others serve only as an important learning. We don’t have any further news to share at this time.”
Spotify has spent close to $600m on podcast-related acquisitions in the past 18 months, including its buys of Anchor FM ($154m), Gimlet Media ($195m) and Parcast ($55m) last year, and Bill Simmons’ The Ringer (up to $196m) in Q1 2020.
Spotify reported last month that it had 130m Premium subscribers globally at the end of Q1 2020 (ended March 31). That was up by 6m subscribers vs. the end of the prior quarter, in Q4 2019, and up by 30m (+31%) year-on-year.Music Business Worldwide
